Applies to the safety and essential performance of laser equipment for either surgical, therapeutic, medical diagnostic, cosmetic, or veterinary applications, intended for its use on humans or animals, classified as a class 3B or class 4 laser product as defined by 3.22 and 3.23 in IEC 60825-1, hereafter referred to as laser equipment.

Throughout this International Standard, light emitting diodes (LED) are included whenever the word "laser" is used.

This standard can also be applied to surgical, cosmetic, therapeutic and diagnostic laser equipment used for compensation or alleviation of disease, injury or disability.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 60601-2-22, published in 1995. This edition constitutes a technical revision.

This third edition takes account of the recently published new editions of the General Standard IEC 60601-1 and publication IEC 60825-1. Additionally, it addresses technical and safety issues which have arisen in the time following the previous second edition.